Communication device, control method of communication device, and program

ABSTRACT

If first another communication device and second another communication device are wirelessly connected with one another on the basis of information acquired from a captured image, a communication device as a slave station connects with a wireless network constructed by the second another communication device as a base station, and makes communication for sharing a communication parameter with the second another communication device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/564,682, filed on Oct. 5, 2017, which is a National StageEntry of PCT/JP2016/001833, filed Mar. 30, 2016, which claims priorityto Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-080447 filed Apr. 9, 2015, allof which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in thereentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a communication technology.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, a case increases in which an electronic device, such asa digital camera, a printer, a cell phone, or a smartphone, has awireless communication function and is connected to a wireless networkfor use. In particular, a case increases in which communication is madebetween devices by using a wireless local area network (LAN) as awireless communication function.

To connect the electronic device to the wireless network, it is requiredto set at least one of various communication parameters, such as anencryption method, an encryption key, an authentication method, and anauthentication key. As a technology to make setting of such acommunication parameter easy, there is a technology disclosed in PTL 1.

In PTL 1, an electronic device displays a Quick Response code (QR code,registered trademark, this note will be omitted hereinafter) indicativeof a communication parameter. A cell phone reads the QR code bycapturing the image of the QR code, and sets the read communicationparameter at an access point.

Also, there is a technology in which ability information andidentification information on an electronic device are included in a QRcode, and processing for determining a role whether to operate as a basestation or to operate as a slave station is simplified in Wi-Fi Direct(registered trademark, this note will be omitted hereinafter) (see PTL2).

As described in PTL 1 and PTL 2, by setting a communication parameterupon capturing of an image of code information such as a two-dimensionalcode that can code much information, troublesome input by a user can bereduced. If a communication parameter is set through three devices likePTL 1, the device that executes image capturing causes the other devicesto connect with one another, and thereafter the own device may no longerneed to communicate with the other devices. In this case, if thetechnology for determining the role whether the base station or theslave station of Wi-Fi Direct is used like PTL 2, a connection networkmay be unnecessarily constructed unless the role of the device being anintermediary that wirelessly connects the other devices with one anotheris properly defined.

For example, if a first device being an intermediary wirelessly connectsa second device and a third device with one another, first, the firstdevice is connected with the second device, and transmits informationrequired for wireless connection between the second device and the thirddevice, to the second device. In this case, if information on the thirddevice is transmitted to the second device in a wireless networkconstructed by the first device serving as a base station, the firstdevice is no longer required to communicate with the second device orthe third device. Hence, since the first device does not makecommunication by itself, the first device is no longer required to keepthe formed wireless network.

In this way, after the first device being the intermediary operates asthe base station and transmits the information required for the wirelesscommunication between the second and third devices to the second device,the first device is no longer required to keep the formed wirelessnetwork, and therefore the first device may possibly terminate thewireless network. When the first device being the intermediaryterminates the wireless network, the second device or the third deviceis required to execute processing of newly forming a wireless networkfor communication between the second and third devices.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

[PTL 1]

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-60623

[PTL 2]

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0269646

[PTL 3]

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2014-230152

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Solution to Problem

To address the above-described problems, a communication deviceaccording to the present invention includes a base station control unitconfigured to operate as a base station that constructs a wirelessnetwork; a slave station control unit configured to operate as a slavestation that connects with the wireless network constructed by the basestation; an acquiring unit configured to acquire information used forsharing processing of sharing a communication parameter for wirelesscommunication from a captured image; a first control unit configured to,if first another communication device and second another communicationdevice are wirelessly connected with one another on the basis of thecommunication parameter shared in the sharing processing executed on thebasis of the information acquired by the acquiring unit, control toconnect with a wireless network by the slave station control unit, thewireless network being constructed by the second another communicationdevice as the base station; and a communication unit configured to makecommunication for the sharing processing with the second anothercommunication device on the basis of the information acquired by theacquiring unit in the wireless network with which the slave stationcontrol unit connects by the control by the first control unit.

Further features of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description of exemplary embodiments with reference to theattached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1]

FIG. 1 is an illustration showing an example of a configuration of acommunication system.

[FIG. 2]

FIG. 2 is an illustration showing a configuration of a smartphone.

[FIG. 3]

FIG. 3 is an illustration showing a configuration of each of a PC and aprinter.

[FIG. 4]

FIG. 4 is an illustration showing an example of an operation sequence ofthe communication system.

[FIG. 5]

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of thesmartphone.

[FIG. 6]

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of thesmartphone.

[FIG. 7]

FIG. 7 is an illustration showing an example of an operation sequence ofthe communication system.

[FIG. 8]

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of thesmartphone.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment described below can simplify processing of constructing awireless network when a communication device wirelessly connects aplurality of other communication devices with one another.

FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a communication system accordingto this embodiment. In FIG. 1, reference sign 101 denotes a smartphone,and reference sign 102 denotes a personal computer (PC). Reference sign103 denotes a printer, and reference sign 104 denotes a wireless networkformed among devices of this communication system. In this embodiment,the wireless network 104 shown in FIG. 1 is a wireless LAN conforming toThe Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)802.11 series. Also, the wireless network 104 is a wireless networkconfigured by using Wi-Fi Direct. However, the communication form is notnecessarily limited to the wireless LAN conforming to IEEE 802.11.Similarly, the wireless network is not limited to the network configuredby using Wi-Fi Direct.

Now, Wi-Fi Direct is described. Wi-Fi Direct is a standard establishedby Wi-Fi Alliance. Wi-Fi Direct defines execution of wireless LANcommunication such that a communication device retrieves a communicationtarget and forms a communication group with the retrieved communicationtarget.

In Wi-Fi Direct, a communication device that operates as a wireless LANaccess point is called P2P group owner (hereinafter, referred to as GO),and a communication device that operates as a wireless LAN station iscalled P2P client (hereinafter, referred to as CL).

That is, in Wi-Fi Direct, GO operates as a base station, and CL operatesas a slave station. These roles are determined by GO Negotiationprotocol, and are defined by Wi-Fi Direct specification. The device thatexecutes Wi-Fi Direct operates as determined one of the roles, andexecutes wireless connection and wireless communication with thecommunication target.

In Wi-Fi Direct, a network formed by GO is called P2P group. Also inthis specification, a network may be occasionally described as P2Pgroup. A network and a P2P group are described with the same meaning.

It is to be noted that, in this specification, a P2P group owner (GO), aP2P client (CL), and a group of communication devices with rolesundetermined are collectively called P2P device. A P2P device canparticipate in a wireless network (CL function) and construct a wirelessnetwork (GO function).

Also, when connection is made between devices by using Wi-Fi Direct, Goprovides a communication parameter to CL, and connection is made betweenthe devices by using the communication parameter. The communicationparameter includes various kinds of wireless communication parametersfor wireless communication conforming to IEEE 802.11 standard. That is,the communication parameter includes wireless communication parametersrequired for executing wireless LAN communication, such as a service setidentifier (SSID) as a network identifier, an encryption method, anencryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key.Also, a media access control (MAC) address and an Internet protocol (IP)address for making communication in an IP layer may be included.

In this embodiment, the smartphone 101, the PC 102, and the printer 103each have a function of Wi-Fi Direct. One of these devices operates asGO, and the devices other than GO operate as CL. Then, the device thatoperates as CL connects with GO, and hence the wireless network 104being a P2P group is formed.

It is to be noted that GO can operate as an access point (AP) in aninfrastructure mode defined in IEEE 802.11 standard. Also, GL canoperate as a station (STA) in the infrastructure mode defined in IEEE802.11 standard.

In the following description, a case is described in which processing ofconnecting the PC 102 with the printer 103 by Wi-Fi Direct is executedthrough the smartphone 101. Devices in the communication systemaccording to this embodiment are described as a smartphone, a PC, and aprinter. However, the devices may be other devices, for example, acamera, a video camera, a smart watch, or a personal digital assistant(PDA).

A hardware configuration of a device according to this embodiment isdescribed with reference to FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, reference sign 101denotes the entire smartphone. Reference sign 201 denotes an imagecapturing unit including a charge-coupled device (CCD), a lens, etc. Theimage capturing unit 201 captures an image and/or a movie. The imagecapturing unit 201 captures and reads code information including aone-dimensional code such as a barcode, and a two-dimensional code suchas a QR code. Reference sign 202 denotes an image processing unitconfigured to execute image processing on an image or the like capturedby the image capturing unit 201. Decoding processing and analysisprocessing on the code information such as the QR code (described later)are executed by the image processing unit 202. The image processing unit202 analyzes the image captured by the image capturing unit 201, decodescoded information, and acquires the information.

Reference sign 203 denotes an operation unit configured to operate thesmartphone 101. The operation unit 203 includes an operation button etc.The operation unit 203 stores a flag corresponding to an input in amemory such as a storage unit 207. Reference sign 204 denotes a displayunit having a function of outputting at least one of visual informationand sound information. If the display unit 204 displays visualinformation, the display unit 204 has a video RAM (VRAM) that holdsimage data corresponding to the visual information to be displayed. Thedisplay unit 204 executes display control that causes the LCD tocontinuously display image data stored in VRAM. Reference sign 205denotes a power supply unit configured to supply power to each hardwareof the smartphone 101. The power supply unit 205 is configured of, forexample, a battery.

Reference sign 206 is a control unit configured to control the entiresmartphone 101 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit207. Respective operations (described later) are performed by thecontrol unit 206 executing the control program stored in the storageunit 207. The control unit 206 is configured of, for example, a centralprocessing unit (CPU). Reference sign 207 denotes the storage unitconfigured to store various pieces of information, such as the controlprogram executed by the control unit 206 and information on acommunication target device. The storage unit 207 is configured of, forexample, a storage medium, such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a flashmemory, a removable secure digital (SD) card, a read-only memory (ROM),or a random access memory (RAM).

Reference sign 208 is an antenna that can make communication in 2.4 GHzband and/or 5 GHz band for executing wireless LAN communication.Reference sign 209 denotes a communication unit configured to executewireless LAN communication conforming to IEEE 802.11 series. Thecommunication unit 209 also executes protocol processing conforming toWi-Fi Direct. The communication unit 209 is configured of a chip thatexecutes wireless communication.

Functions that are stored as programs in the storage unit 207 of thesmartphone 101 and that are realized by the control unit 206 executingthe programs are described. The functions described below are realizedby the control unit 206 controlling each hardware, and arithmeticallyoperating and processing information, according to the control program.

The smartphone 101 executes communication parameter automatic settingprocessing of sharing a communication parameter when Wi-Fi Directconnection is executed between devices. In the communication parameterautomatic setting processing, a provider device provides a communicationparameter for wireless communication to a receiver device. In this case,the communication parameter includes wireless communication parametersrequired for executing wireless LAN communication, such as a service setidentifier (SSID) as a network identifier, an encryption method, anencryption key, an authentication method, and an authentication key.Also, a MAC address, a pass phrase, an IP address for communication inan IP layer, and information required for high-order service may beincluded.

The smartphone 101 can execute the communication parameter automaticsetting processing in a plurality of methods. A first method executableby the smartphone 101 is a method of sharing a communication parameterbetween two devices including the smartphone 101 and another device.

In the first method, the smartphone 101 captures a QR code displayed onthe other device or associated with the other device. Then, thesmartphone 101 acquires information required for setting a communicationparameter included in the read QR code. The information required forsetting the communication parameter is, for example, the communicationparameter itself, identification information on the device,identification information on the communication parameter automaticsetting processing, etc. Also, information relating to Wi-Fi Direct maybe included. An example may be an Intent value used in negotiationprocessing for determining GO between the devices.

Then, the smartphone 101 acquires the identification information on thedevice included in the read QR code. The identification information onthe device may be a MAC address or a universally unique identifier(UUID) that uniquely identifies the device. The smartphone 101 transmitsa signal for designating the device indicated by the identificationinformation acquired from the QR code, and retrieves the deviceindicated by the identification information acquired from the QR code.When the smartphone 101 detects the device indicated by theidentification information acquired from the QR code, the smartphone 101shares an encrypted communication parameter between the devices bywireless communication. The smartphone 101 wirelessly connects with thedevice indicated by the identification information acquired from the QRcode on the basis of the shared communication parameter. In thecommunication parameter automatic setting processing, a communicationparameter encrypted by using a public key may be transmitted/receivedbetween the devices. This public key may be included in the QR code. Amethod of encrypting a communication parameter by using a public key mayuse, for example, a method described in PTL 3.

Also, a second method executable by the smartphone 101 is a method ofsharing a communication parameter among a plurality of other devicesthrough the smartphone 101. In the second method, the smartphone 101executes processing for wirelessly connecting a first device and asecond device with one another by using Wi-Fi Direct. In this case, thefirst device is a device that newly participates in a wireless networkof the P2P group. The first device operates as a receiver device thatreceives a communication parameter in the communication parameterautomatic setting processing. Also, the first device may be CL.

Also, the second device is a device operable as a provider device thatprovides a communication parameter in the communication parameterautomatic setting processing. Also, the second device may be GO thatconstructs the wireless network of the P2P group.

In the second method, the smartphone 101 captures a QR code displayed onthe first device or associated with the first device. It is to be notedthat the QR code associated with the first device is a QR code attachedto a casing of the first device or a QR code written in an operationmanual of the first device.

Then, the smartphone 101 acquires identification information on thefirst device included in the read QR code. The smartphone 101 is adevice that can make connection in accordance with previous setting etc.in the first method. The smartphone 101 transfers identificationinformation on the first device included in the read QR code to thesecond device that can establish a secure link, through the secure link.The smartphone 101 transmits the identification information on the firstdevice included in the QR code, as information on a device that requestswireless connection, to the second device. The second device which hasreceived the transferred identification information on the first deviceincluded in the QR code from the smartphone 101 retrieves the deviceindicated by the identification information through wirelesscommunication. If the second device detects the device indicated by theidentification information, the second device transmits a communicationparameter to the first device.

The first device wirelessly connects with the second device by Wi-FiDirect on the basis of the received communication parameter. The seconddevice may transmit the communication parameter in an encrypted state bypublic-key cryptosystem, to the first device. Alternatively, thenotification about the identification information from the smartphone101 to the second device may be executed by using a secure link using awireless LAN. Still alternatively, the notification about theidentification information from the smartphone 101 to the second devicemay be executed by using the wireless network of the P2P group. Yetalternatively, the notification about the identification informationfrom the smartphone 101 to the second device may be executed by usingnear wireless communication, such as near field communication (NFC). Yetalternatively, this transfer may use communication other than thewireless LAN communication, for example, Bluetooth (registeredtrademark, this note will be omitted hereinafter). Yet alternatively,the smartphone 101 may execute transfer by causing a display unit of theown device to display information read from the acquired QR code as theQR code, and by causing the second device to read the QR code.

When the smartphone 101 executes the setting by the second method, thesmartphone 101 can previously register the second device. The device tobe registered as the second device may be a device that shared thecommunication parameter by the first method. Also, the device to beregistered as the second device may be a device that can be connectedthrough a secure link. Also, the device to be registered as the seconddevice may be a device that formed a P2P group.

Also, the smartphone 101 can execute wireless communication conformingto Wi-Fi Direct in communication by the communication unit 209, and canoperate as GO and CL. Also, the smartphone 101 may operate as an accesspoint defined by IEEE 802.11. Also, the smartphone 101 may operate as astation defined by IEEE 802.11 in communication by the communicationunit 209. Also, the smartphone 101 can execute Wi-Fi Protected Setup(WPS) established by Wi-Fi Alliance in communication by thecommunication unit 209.

Next, a configuration of each of the PC 102 and the printer 103 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 3. In FIG. 3, reference sign 301denotes an operation unit configured to operate the PC 102 or theprinter 103 and including an operation button or the like. The operationunit 301 stores a flag corresponding to an input in a memory such as astorage unit 305. Reference sign 302 denotes a display unit having afunction of outputting at least one of visual information and soundinformation. If the display unit 302 displays visual information, thedisplay unit 302 has VRAM that holds image data corresponding to thevisual information to be displayed. The display unit 302 executesdisplay control that causes the LCD to continuously display image datastored in VRAM. Reference sign 303 denotes a power supply unitconfigured to supply power to each hardware of the PC 102. The powersupply unit 303 is configured of, for example, a battery.

Reference sign 304 is a control unit configured to control the entire PC102 by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 305.Respective operations (described later) are performed by the controlunit 304 executing the control program stored in the storage unit 305.The control unit 304 is configured of, for example, a CPU. Referencesign 305 denotes the storage unit configured to store various pieces ofinformation, such as the control program executed by the control unit304 and information on a communication target device. The storage unit305 is configured of, for example, a storage medium, such as an HDD, aflash memory, a SD card, a ROM, or a RAM.

Reference sign 306 is an antenna that can make communication in 2.4 GHzband and/or 5 GHz band for executing wireless LAN communication.Reference sign 307 denotes a communication unit configured to executewireless LAN communication conforming to IEEE 802.11 series. Thecommunication unit 307 also executes protocol processing conforming toWi-Fi Direct. The communication unit 307 is configured of a chip thatexecutes wireless communication. Reference sign 308 denotes a functionunit being hardware for executing predetermined processing. The functionunit 308 of the PC 102 is, for example, an image capturing unit, andexecutes image capturing processing. Also, the function unit 308 of theprinter 103 is a print unit, and executes print processing.

Next, functions that are stored as programs in the storage unit 305 ofthe PC 102 or the printer 103 and that are realized by the control unit304 executing the programs are described. The functions described beloware realized by the control unit 304 controlling each hardware, andarithmetically operating and processing information, according to thecontrol program.

The PC 102 or the printer 103 can execute communication parameterautomatic setting processing of sharing a communication parameterbetween devices. Also, the PC 102 or the printer 103 can executewireless communication conforming to Wi-Fi Direct in communication bythe communication unit 307, and can operate as GO and CL. Also, the PC102 or the printer 103 may operate as an access point defined by IEEE802.11. Also, the PC 102 or the printer 103 may operate as a stationdefined by IEEE 802.11 in communication by the communication unit 307.Also, the PC 102 or the printer 103 can execute WPS established by Wi-FiAlliance.

Also, the PC 102 or the printer 103 generates a QR code includinginformation required for setting a communication parameter. Thegenerated QR code is displayed by the display unit 302 using the LCD orthe like. The information required for setting the communicationparameter is, for example, identification information on the device, thecommunication parameter itself, identification information on thecommunication parameter automatic setting processing, etc. Also,information relating to Wi-Fi Direct may be included. An example of theinformation relating to Wi-Fi Direct may be an Intent value used innegotiation processing for determining GO between devices. Regarding theQR code, a previously generated QR code may be attached to a casing, ora QR code may be written in an operation manual. Also, the PC 102 or theprinter 103 can operate as a device that displays a QR code in theabove-described first method. Also, the PC 102 or the printer 103 canoperate as the first device or the second device described in theabove-described second method.

Next, an operation of a communication system having the above-describedconfiguration is described. Described here is a case in which thewireless network 104 being a P2P group is formed by using the smartphone101 to make communication by Wi-Fi Direct between the PC 102 and theprinter 103.

A sequence chart in the communication system is described with referenceto FIG. 4. In the sequence chart shown in FIG. 4, a case is described inwhich the wireless network 104 is formed among the smartphone 101, thePC 102, and the printer 103. In FIG. 4, the smartphone 101 captures a QRcode of the printer 103 first, executes connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with respect to the printer 103, and forms the wireless network104. Then, the smartphone 101 captures a QR code of the PC 102, andcauses the PC 102 to be connected with the wireless network 104 by Wi-FiDirect. Also, in FIG. 4, a case is described in which the printer 103operates as GO in the wireless network 104.

First, the smartphone 101, the PC 102, and the printer 103 each receivean instruction about start of P2P group formation from a user. After thePC 102 and the printer 103 each receive the instruction about start ofP2P group formation, the PC 102 and the printer 103 each display the QRcode on the display unit 302 (F501, F502). The displayed QR codeincludes encoded information required for the communication parameterautomatic setting processing in Wi-Fi Direct connection.

When the smartphone 101 receives the instruction about the start of P2Pgroup formation, the smartphone 101 activates the image capturing unit201. The smartphone 101 activates the image capturing unit 201 andcaptures the QR code displayed on the display unit 302 of the printer103 (F503, F504). A case is described in which the QR code of theprinter 103 is captured first. However, the QR code of the PC 102 may becaptured first. In this case, the processing of the printer 103 and theprocessing of the PC 102 are replaced with one another.

After image capturing, the smartphone 101 executes processing shown inFIG. 6 (described later), and executes connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with respect to the printer 103 on the basis of informationincluded in the QR code (F505). Connection processing is described now.The smartphone 101 and the printer 103 each start Find Phase defined byWi-Fi Direct for retrieving one another. The smartphone 101 starts FindPhase in response to image capturing of the QR code or an instruction bya user. Alternatively, the printer 103 starts Find Phase in response todisplaying of the QR code or an instruction by the user.

In Find Phase, first, all channels are scanned by using a retrievalsignal added with an information element indicating availability ofWi-Fi Direct. Then, if a desirable communication target cannot bedetected by all channel scanning, processing of scanning 1, 6, and 11 chby using the retrieval signal, and processing of waiting for theretrieval signal from a communication target through any one of 1, 6,and 11 ch are alternately executed. The retrieval signal transmitted bythe smartphone 101 may include information that designates theidentifier of the printer 103 being information included in the QR code.The smartphone 101 and the printer 103 may transmit a retrieval signaladded with an information element indicative of conformance to thecommunication parameter automatic setting processing using imagecapturing of the QR code.

If the smartphone 101 and the printer 103 detect one another, thesmartphone 101 and the printer 103 execute negotiation processing fordetermining the role whether GO or CL. In FIG. 4, it is assumed that theprinter 103 is determined to operate as GO in the negotiation processingfor GO. The smartphone 101 receives a communication parameter from theprinter 103 and connects with the printer 103 on the basis of thecommunication parameter.

After the connection with the printer 103, the smartphone 101 capturesthe QR code displayed on the display unit 302 of the PC 102 (F506).After image capturing, the smartphone 101 executes processing shown inFIG. 6, executes the setting processing in the second method, andtransmits an identifier included in the captured QR code to the printer103 operating as GO (F507).

The printer 103 executes connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct withrespect to the PC 102 by using the received identifier. It is to benoted that the PC 102 starts Find Phase in response to that the QR codeis displayed on the display unit 302, or an instruction by the user. Theretrieval signal transmitted from the PC 102 may include an informationelement indicative of conformance to the communication parameterautomatic setting processing using image capturing of the QR code.

Then, the PC 102 retrieves another device to which the content of the QRcode displayed on the display unit 302 is transmitted. It is assumedthat the printer 103 adds the received identifier to a beacon and aresponse signal to the retrieval signal. The printer 103 may executeInvitation processing of Wi-Fi Direct on the basis of the acquiredidentifier of the PC 102. By executing Invitation processing, the PC 102may participate in the wireless network 104 formed by the printer 103.

The communication parameter that is transmitted in the connectionprocessing of Wi-Fi Direct may be encrypted by public-key cryptosystemusing a public key and transmitted. This method may use, for example, amethod described in PTL 3. Alternatively, for example, a public key maybe acquired by capturing a QR code.

By executing the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct with respect tothe printer 103, the PC 102 serves as CL, receives the communicationparameter from the printer 103, and is connected with the wirelessnetwork 104 (F508). After the PC 102 completes connection by Wi-FiDirect with the printer 103, by executing processing for using a printservice of the printer 103, the PC 102 can cause the printer 103 toexecute printing.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart when the smartphone 101 executes P2P groupformation processing by Wi-Fi Direct, in which the own device alsoparticipates. The flowchart in FIG. 5 is started after start of P2Pgroup formation by Wi-Fi Direct is instructed by the user through theoperation unit 203. It is assumed that the smartphone 101 has receivedan instruction whether to execute group formation between two devices orto execute group formation among three or more devices, by theinstruction for the start of P2P group formation. That is, thesmartphone 101 selects to form a group between two devices of thesmartphone 101 and another device, or to form a group among thesmartphone 101 and a plurality of other devices.

Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 shows a flow of processing performedby the control unit 206 reading a computer program stored in the storageunit 207 and executing the computer program. Alternatively, a portion orthe entirety of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 may be realizedby hardware such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In FIG. 5, when the smartphone 101 causes the image capturing unit 201to capture a QR code in S601, the smartphone 101 decodes the captured QRcode. Then, if the content of the captured QR code is informationrequired for setting a communication parameter by Wi-Fi Direct, thesmartphone 101 advances the processing to S602. If the captured QR codedoes not include the information required for setting the communicationparameter by Wi-Fi Direct, the smartphone 101 may terminate theprocessing in error.

In S602, the smartphone 101 causes the communication unit 209 to judgewhether or not the smartphone 101 is in connection with a P2P group. InS602, if the smartphone 101 is not in connection with the P2P group, thesmartphone 101 advances the processing to S606, and if the smartphone101 is in connection with the P2P group, the smartphone 101 advances theprocessing to S603. In S606, the smartphone 101 executes the connectionprocessing by Wi-Fi Direct by using information included in the capturedQR code. The information included in the captured QR code is, forexample, an identifier of a device. The smartphone 101 retrieves thedevice indicated by the identifier. If the smartphone 101 finds thedevice indicated by the identifier through the retrieval, the smartphone101 executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct. The retrievalfor the device indicated by the identifier may be executed by ProbeRequest and Probe Response being a response to the Probe Request definedin IEEE 802.11 standard.

In the processing in S606, Intent values are exchanged between devices,a device with a larger Intent value becomes GO and forms a wirelessnetwork. Also, a device with a smaller Intent value becomes CL, andparticipates in the wireless network formed by GO.

Communication parameter automatic setting processing to be executed inthe connection processing of Wi-Fi Direct executed in S606 iscommunication parameter automatic setting processing using the firstmethod. That is, the communication parameter automatic settingprocessing is executed between the smartphone 101 and the device whichhas captured the QR code.

If the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct is completed in S606, thesmartphone 101 judges whether or not still another device is allowed toparticipate in the P2P group in S607. The number of devices forming agroup is instructed by the user through the instruction about the startof P2P group formation as described above. However, an inquiry for thenumber of devices may be made to the user after the P2P group formationprocessing in S606 is ended. In this case, the smartphone 101 may causethe display unit 204 to display confirmation to the user whether or notthere is another device to be added to the P2P group. Alternatively, inthe state in which the P2P group is formed, it may be judged that thereis another device to participate in the group if the image capturingunit 201 of the smartphone 101 captures a QR code of the device.

In S607, if the smartphone 101 judges that there is no device toparticipate in the group, the smartphone 101 terminates the processing.If the smartphone 101 judges that there is another device to participatein the group, the smartphone 101 executes the processing from S601again.

If still another device participates in the group, in the judgment inS602, the smartphone 101 is judged to be in connection with the P2Pgroup, and the smartphone 101 advances the processing to S603. In S603,the smartphone 101 judges whether to operate as GO or not. If thesmartphone 101 operates as GO, the processing goes to S604. If thesmartphone 101 does not operate as GO, that is, if the smartphone 101participates as CL in the P2P group, the processing goes to S605.

In S605, the smartphone 101 transfers the information acquired whencapturing the QR code, to GO. The information acquired when the QR codeis captured is, for example, an identifier of a device that displays theQR code. The processing in S605 is processing in the above-describedsecond method. That is, The connection processing of Wi-Fi Direct isexecuted between another device being GO and the device indicated by theidentifier included in the QR code in accordance with transfer ofinformation acquired when the QR code is captured. In this case, GO mayexecute Invitation processing of Wi-Fi Direct on the device indicated bythe identifier included in the QR code, and the device indicated by theidentifier included in the QR code may participate in the P2P group.When the processing in S605 is terminated, the smartphone 101 makesjudgment in S607.

In S604, the smartphone 101 executes the connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with respect to the device indicated by the identifier includedin the QR code by using the information included in the captured QRcode. In this case, since the smartphone 101 is GO, the smartphone 101provides the communication parameter for connection with the formedwireless network 104 to a device indicated by an identifier included inthe QR code. After the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct in S604 isterminated, judgment in S607 is executed.

As described above, with this embodiment, when the smartphone 101 readsthe QR code, the smartphone 101 executes the connection processing ofWi-Fi Direct with the device indicated by the QR code, and the P2P groupcan be formed.

Described next is a case in which the smartphone 101 forms a P2P groupamong a plurality of other devices and the smartphone 101 does notparticipate in the P2P group. That is, the smartphone 101 participatesonly in the P2P group formation processing among the plurality of otherdevices, and after the P2P group is formed, the smartphone 101 operatesas an intermediary from the P2P group. The configurations of therespective devices are similar to those described above.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an operation when the smartphone 101executes the P2P group formation processing by Wi-Fi Direct in a case inwhich the smartphone 101 operates as an intermediary. The flowchart inFIG. 6 is started after start of P2P group formation by Wi-Fi Direct isinstructed by the user through the operation unit 203. It is assumedthat the smartphone 101 has received an instruction whether toparticipate in the P2P group formed also by the own device at theinstruction about the start of P2P group formation. That is, thesmartphone 101 judges whether to operate as an intermediary or not inaccordance with the instruction by the user.

Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 shows a flow of processing performedby the control unit 206 reading a computer program stored in the storageunit 207 and executing the computer program. Alternatively, a portion orthe entirety of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 6 may be realizedby hardware such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In FIG. 6, when the smartphone 101 causes the image capturing unit 201to capture a QR code in S801, the smartphone 101 decodes the captured QRcode. Then, if the content of the captured QR code is informationrequired for setting a communication parameter by Wi-Fi Direct, thesmartphone 101 advances the processing to S802. If the captured QR codedoes not include the information required for setting the communicationparameter by Wi-Fi Direct, the smartphone 101 may terminate theprocessing in error.

In S802, the smartphone 101 judges whether or not the smartphone 101 isin connection with a P2P group. In S802, if the smartphone 101 is not inconnection with the P2P group, the smartphone 101 advances theprocessing to S805, and if the smartphone 101 is in connection with theP2P group, the smartphone 101 advances the processing to S803.

If the smartphone 101 is not in connection with the P2P group, thesmartphone 101 judges whether to operate as an intermediary or not inS805. If the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, the smartphone101 advances the processing to S807. If the smartphone 101 also keepsparticipating in the P2P group as a member of the P2P group, theprocessing goes to S806.

The judgment in S805 is made on the basis of the received instruction bythe user at the instruction about the start of P2P group formation.Alternatively, an inquiry may be made to the user whether the smartphone101 operates as an intermediary or not if the QR code is captured. Thisinquiry is made by confirming the user whether the smartphone 101operates as an intermediary or not through the display unit 204 of thesmartphone 101 and by receiving the instruction by the user with theoperation unit 203.

If it is judged that the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediary,the smartphone 101 determines to become CL in the P2P group formationprocessing with respect to the device indicated by the identificationinformation included in the QR code in S807. If the smartphone 101operates as the intermediary, when the formation of the P2P group iscompleted among the plurality of other devices (for example, between thePC 102 and the printer 103), the smartphone 101 separates from the P2Pgroup. Owing to this, if the smartphone 101 operates as GO, thesmartphone 101 terminates the wireless network constructed by thesmartphone 101 as GO. Another P2P group is required to be formed betweenthe printer 103 and the PC 102 again. Hence, the wasted P2P group isformed. In this embodiment, to reduce the processing of constructing thewireless network, if the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediary,the smartphone 101 determines to operate as CL.

If the smartphone 101 determines to operate as CL, the smartphone 101executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct with respect to thedevice indicated by the identification information included in the QRcode on the basis of the information acquired by capturing the QR codein S808.

In S808, the smartphone 101 executes role determination processing by GONegotiation protocol in Wi-Fi Direct so that the smartphone 101 operatesas CL. GO Negotiation defines that the Intent values are exchangedbetween devices, a device with a larger value becomes GO, and a devicewith a smaller value becomes CL. Hence, the Intent value of thesmartphone 101 is set at the minimum value so that the smartphone 101operates as CL. Wi-Fi Direct defines that the Intent value is in a rangefrom 0 to 15. Hence, in this case, the smartphone 101 sets the Intentvalue at 0 with respect to the device indicated by the identificationinformation included in the QR code, and executes negotiation fordetermining the role. If the Intent value of the target device ispreviously figured out, such as in a case in which the informationacquired from the QR code includes information indicative of the Intentvalue, the smartphone 101 may set a value smaller than the previouslyfigured out value as the Intent value, and execute negotiation.

If the Intent value of the target device is also at 0 being the minimumvalue, the smartphone 101 may terminate the processing in error once,and may execute negotiation for determining the role again. Also, inWi-Fi Direct, to prepare for a case in which devices have the sameIntent value, a message for exchanging the Intent value includes arandomly generated bit called Tie breaker bit. The device that transmitsthe Intent value later establishes a bit inverted to Tie breaker bit inthe message including the Intent value received from the target device.For example, if received Tie breaker bit in the message for exchangingthe Intent value is “1,” the device that transmits the Intent valuelater sets Tie breaker bit at “0” and transmits the Intent value. Also,if received Tie breaker bit in the message for exchanging the Intentvalue is “0,” the device that transmits the Intent value later sets Tiebreaker bit at “1” and transmits the Intent value.

Wi-Fi Direct defines that, in the case in which the devices have thesame Intent value, the device with Tie breaker bit having the value of“1” operates as GO. Hence, the smartphone 101 may set Tie breaker bit at“0” and transmit the Intent value before the target device does toprepare for the case in which the target device also has the Intentvalue of 0 being the minimum value. Also, if the Intent value of thetarget device is 0 being the minimum vale and the smartphone 101determines to operate as GO with regard to Tie breaker bit, thesmartphone 101 may terminate the processing in error once, and mayexecute negotiation for determining the role again.

In this way, if the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, thesmartphone 101 provides control not to become GO.

The smartphone 101 executes negotiation so that the smartphone 101operates as CL, and executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Directwith respect to the device indicated by the identifier included in theQR code. In this case, since the smartphone 101 is CL, the smartphone101 receives the communication parameter for connection with thewireless network 104 constructed by the other device from the deviceindicated by the identifier included in the QR code.

Then, the smartphone 101 executes the processing from S801 again tocapture the other device forming the P2P group.

In contrast, if it is judged that the smartphone 101 does not operate asthe intermediary in S805, the smartphone 101 determines to become GO inthe P2P group formation processing with respect to the device indicatedby the identification information included in the QR code in S807. Thatis, if the smartphone 101 also keeps to participate in the P2P group,the smartphone 101 determines to become GO. Accordingly, if thesmartphone 101 further allows still another device to participate in theP2P group, processing of transferring information relating to stillanother device included in the QR code to GO, the processing whichcorresponds to F507 in FIG. 5, can be omitted. That is, since thesmartphone 101 becomes GO, if still another device participates in theP2P group, a direct communication parameter or the like can be sharedbetween the smartphone 101 and still another device.

If the smartphone 101 determines to operate as GO, the smartphone 101executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct with respect to thedevice indicated by the identification information included in the QRcode on the basis of the information acquired by capturing the QR codein S812.

In S812, the smartphone 101 executes role determination processing by GONegotiation protocol in Wi-Fi Direct so that the smartphone 101 operatesas GO. In this case, the smartphone 101 sets the Intent value at 15being the maximum value to operate as GO, and then executes negotiationfor determining the role. If the Intent value of the target device ispreviously figured out, such as in a case in which the informationacquired from the QR code includes information indicative of the Intentvalue, the smartphone 101 may set a value larger than the previouslyfigured out value as the Intent value, and execute negotiation. If thesmartphone 101 determines to operate as GO, the smartphone 101 may startoperating as GO without executing negotiation for determining the rolewith the target device. That is, the smartphone 101 may form thewireless network 104 while operating as GO, and then may execute theconnection processing of Wi-Fi Direct with the target device. With thisconfiguration, the smartphone 101 can operate as GO surely.

The smartphone 101 executes negotiation so that the smartphone 101operates as GO, and executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Directwith respect to the device indicated by the identifier included in theQR code. In this case, since the smartphone 101 is GO, the smartphone101 provides the communication parameter for connection with thewireless network 104 formed by the own device to a device indicated byan identifier included in the QR code, and forms the P2P group betweenthe devices.

In contrast, in S802, if it is judged that the smartphone 101 is inconnection with the P2P group, the smartphone 101 judges whether to bein operation as GO in the connected P2P group (S803). If the smartphone101 is in operation as GO, the smartphone 101 advances the processing toS809. If the smartphone 101 does not operate as GO, that is, if thesmartphone 101 participates as CL in the P2P group, the smartphone 101advances the processing to S804.

In S804, the smartphone 101 executes the connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with respect to the device indicated by the identifier includedin the QR code by using the information included in the captured QRcode. In this case, since the smartphone 101 is GO, the smartphone 101provides the communication parameter for connection with the formedwireless network 104 to the device indicated by the identifier includedin the QR code, and forms the P2P group.

If it is judged that the smartphone 101 does not operate as GO in S803,the smartphone 101 transfers the information acquired when thesmartphone 101 captures the QR code to GO in S809. The informationacquired when the smartphone 101 captures the QR code is, for example,an identifier of a device that displays the QR code. The processing inS809 is processing in the above-described second method. That is, theconnection processing of Wi-Fi Direct is executed between the otherdevice being GO and the device indicated by the identifier included inthe QR code. In this case, GO may execute Invitation processing of Wi-FiDirect on the device indicated by the identifier included in the QRcode, and the device indicated by the identifier included in the QR codemay participate in the P2P group. When the processing in S809 isterminated, the smartphone 101 makes judgment in S810.

In S810, the smartphone 101 judges whether to operate as an intermediaryor not. If the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, theprocessing goes to S811. If the smartphone 101 does not operate as theintermediary, and keeps to participate as a member of the P2P group, theP2P group formation processing is terminated. In S810, if there isanother device to be added to the P2P group while the smartphone 101operates as the intermediary, the smartphone 101 may execute theprocessing from S801 again. For example, the smartphone 101 may causethe display unit 204 to display to the user whether or not there isanother device to be added to the P2P group, to confirm about the deviceto the user. If there is another device to be added to the P2P group,the processing does not go to S811, keeps connection with the P2P group,and executes the processing from S801 again.

In S811, the smartphone 101 separates from the P2P group, and executesprocessing of disconnecting the wireless connection. Disconnectionprocessing judges whether or not the P2P group formation is completedbetween desirable devices, and if it is judged that the formation iscompleted, the disconnection processing may be executed. For example, onthe basis of the identifier information on the PC 102 and the printer103 acquired from the QR code, the smartphone 101 may confirm whether ornot each device can make communication in the P2P group. Thisconfirmation may be made by executing Ping or the like using InternetControl Message Protocol (ICMP) message and judging whether or notcommunication in an IP layer is established.

As described above, with this embodiment, since the device being GO isdetermined in accordance with whether or not the smartphone 101 operatesas the intermediary, a different device can be prevented from creating awireless network.

Described above is the case in which the Wi-Fi Direct connectionsequence is sequentially executed for each device after the QR codes ofthe devices that participate in the P2P are captured. Described next isa case in which a Wi-Fi Direct connection sequence is executed after QRcodes of a plurality of devices that participate in a P2P group arecaptured. The configurations of the respective devices are similar tothose described above.

FIG. 7 shows a sequence chart in which the smartphone 101 connects thePC 102 and the printer 103 by Wi-Fi Direct. Also in FIG. 7, a case inwhich the smartphone 101 operates as an intermediary is described.

In FIG. 7, the smartphone 101, the PC 102, and the printer 103 eachreceive an instruction about start of P2P group formation from a user.The PC 102 and the printer 103 each display a QR code on each displayunit 302 (F901, F902). The displayed QR codes include encodedinformation required for the communication parameter automatic settingprocessing using Wi-Fi Direct. In this embodiment, it is assumed thatthe QR code includes the Intent value.

Then, the smartphone 101 activates the image capturing unit 201 (F903),and continuously captures the QR codes of the printer 103 and the PC 102(F904, F905).

After image capturing, the smartphone 101 executes processing shown inFIG. 8 (described later), and determines a device to be GO on the basisof information included in the QR codes. In FIG. 7, a case is describedin which the PC 102 is determined as a device to be GO.

The smartphone 101 first executes the connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with the PC 102 to be GO (F906). The smartphone 101 executes thesetting processing in the second method on the printer 103, andtransmits an identifier included in the captured QR code to the PC 102operating as GO (F907).

The PC 102 executes the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct withrespect to the printer 103 by using the received identifier. The printer103 serving as CL is connected to the wireless network 104 after theexecution of the connection processing by Wi-Fi Direct with respect tothe PC 102 (F908). If the connection by Wi-Fi Direct is completedbetween the PC 102 and the printer 103, the smartphone 101 executesdisconnection processing from the wireless network 104 (F909).

After the PC 102 completes connection by Wi-Fi Direct with the printer103, by executing processing for using a print service of the printer103, the PC 102 can cause the printer 103 to execute printing.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of P2P group formation processing according tothis embodiment executed by the smartphone 101. The flowchart in FIG. 8is started after the start of P2P group formation by Wi-Fi Direct isinstructed by the user through the operation unit 203.

Also, the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 shows a flow of processing performedby the control unit 206 reading a computer program stored in the storageunit 207 and executing the computer program. Alternatively, a portion orthe entirety of steps in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 may be realizedby hardware such as application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

In S1001, when the smartphone 101 causes the image capturing unit 201 tocapture a QR code, the smartphone 101 decodes the captured QR code.Then, if the content of the captured QR code is information required forsetting a communication parameter by Wi-Fi Direct, the smartphone 101advances the processing to S1002. If the captured QR code does notinclude the information required for setting the communication parameterby Wi-Fi Direct, the smartphone 101 may terminate the processing inerror. The smartphone according to this embodiment repetitively executethe processing in S1001 until the smartphone captures QR codes of alldevices to participate in the P2P group.

In S1002, the smartphone 101 judges whether or not the QR codes of alldevices to participate in the P2P group are captured. If image capturingfor all devices is completed and there is no device to be added, thesmartphone 101 advances the processing to S1003. The judgment in S1002is made by causing the display unit 204 to display a message of makingan inquiry whether or not the QR codes of all devices have beencaptured, and judging whether or not the operation unit 203 receives anoperation indicative of that the QR codes of all devices have beencaptured. Alternatively, for example, a predetermined period (forexample, within two minutes) may be measured, and if the predeterminedtime has elapsed, it may be judged that the QR codes of all devices toparticipate in the P2P group have been captured.

S1003, S1004, S1005, S1006, and S1007 are processing respectivelyequivalent to S802, S803, S804, S809, and S805. Therefore, thedescription is omitted here.

In S1007, if the smartphone 101 does not operate as the intermediary,that is, if the smartphone 101 also participates as a member of the P2Pgroup, the smartphone 101 advances the processing to S1008. If thesmartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, the smartphone 101 advancesthe processing to S1011.

In S1008, the smartphone 101 determines that a device with the largestIntent value among the Intent values acquired from the QR codesdisplayed on the PC 102 and the printer 103 and the Intent value of thesmartphone 101 is a device to be GO. Alternatively, in S1008, thesmartphone 101 may determine to operate as GO similarly toaforementioned S806. After the device to be GO is determined, theprocessing goes to S1009.

In S1009, the smartphone 101 judges whether or not the own device isdetermined as GO. If the smartphone 101 is determined as GO, theprocessing goes to S1010. If the smartphone 101 is not GO, theprocessing goes to S1012.

In S1010, since the smartphone 101 operates as GO, the smartphone 101may execute the connection processing of Wi-Fi Direct with a desirabledevice first. For example, the order of executing the connectionprocessing may be the order of capturing the QR codes. However, theorder is not limited thereto. After the connection processing by Wi-FiDirect with a desirable device is completed, the processing goes toS1013.

In S1011, the Intent values are compared with one another among thedevices the QR codes of which have been captured by the smartphone 101.The smartphone 101 references the comparison result of the Intentvalues, selects the device with the highest Intent value, and determinesa device to be GO. Since the smartphone 101 operates as the intermediaryand separates from the formed P2P group, the smartphone 101 determines adevice which is other than the smartphone 101 and has the highest Intentvalue as a device to be GO. After the device to be GO is determined, theprocessing goes to S1012.

In S1012, the smartphone 101 executes the connection processing of Wi-FiDirect with respect to the device to be GO first. After the connectionprocessing by Wi-Fi Direct with the device to be GO is completed, theprocessing goes to S1013. In FIG. 7, it is assumed that the PC 102 isselected as the device to be GO by this processing.

In S1013, it is judged whether there is another device to be added tothe P2P group or not. If there is another device to be added to the P2Pgroup, the processing goes to S1004. If there is no device to be addedto the P2P group, the processing goes to S1014. The judgment on whetherthere is another device to be added to the P2P group or not is judgedwhether or not the connection processing of Wi-Fi Direct has beenexecuted by a number of times corresponding to the number of deviceshaving the QR codes captured in S1001. If the smartphone 101 operates asthe intermediary, the judgment in S1013 may be made whether or not theinformation on the QR codes captured in S1001 has been provided to GO.

In S1013, if there is no device to be added to the P2P group, and if thesmartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, similarly to S810 and S811,the smartphone 101 executes the disconnection processing (S1015) andterminates the processing.

In this embodiment, the device to be GO is determined in accordance withthe Intent value. However, the device to be GO may be determined inaccordance with a predetermined priority different from the Intentvalue. For example, the device that displays the QR code captured firstby the smartphone 101 may be GO. Also, the device to be GO may bedetermined as GO on the basis of a service to be executed. For example,to execute the print service in this embodiment, if the printer 103becomes GO, direct communication can be made between a device that usesthe print service and the printer 103. Hence, the printer 103 may bedetermined to be GO. Alternatively, a user may select a device to be GOby using the smartphone 101.

As described above, with this embodiment, the P2P group can beautomatically formed among the devices the QR codes of which have beensequentially captured by the smartphone 101. Accordingly, usability isincreased.

Other Embodiments

Also, in the above-described embodiment, the case is described in whichthe information for setting the communication parameter is exchangedbetween the devices by using the QR code. However, instead of imagecapturing of the QR code, wireless communication, such as near fieldcommunication (NFC) or Bluetooth, may be used. Alternatively, wirelesscommunication, such as IEEE 802.11ad or TransferJet (registeredtrademark), may be used.

Also, in the embodiment, the QR code to be read may not be only the QRcode displayed on the display unit. For example, a QR code attached in aform of a seal to a casing of a communication device, or a QR codeattached to an operation manual or a packaging such as a corrugatedcardboard carton or the like used at sale of a communication device maybe used. Also, instead of the QR code, a one-dimensional barcode, or atwo-dimensional code other than the QR code may be used. Also, insteadof machine-readable information such as the QR code, user-readableinformation may be used. Alternatively, the PC 102 or the printer 103may have a WEB server function, and may display a QR code on a WEB page.

Also, in the embodiment, the case is described in which thecommunication between the devices is executed by wireless LANcommunication conforming to IEEE 802.11. However, it is not limitedthereto. For example, communication may be executed by using a wirelesscommunication medium, such as a wireless universal serial bus (USB),MBOA, Bluetooth, ultra-wideband (UWB), ZigBee, or NFC. In this case,MBOA is abbreviation for Multi Band OFDM Alliance. Also, UWB includes awireless USB, a wireless 1394, Wireless Networks (WINET), etc.

Also, in the embodiment, the connection processing is executed by usingWi-Fi Direct; however, it is not limited thereto. For example, theembodiment may be applied to a case in which an access point of awireless LAN provides a communication parameter. Also, the embodimentmay be applied to an ad hoc mode. If the embodiment is applied to the adhoc mode, the application is available by replacing a device to be GOwith a device that constructs an ad hoc network first.

Also, in the embodiment, the processing is described in which, if thesmartphone 101 operates as the intermediary, the smartphone 101 formsthe P2P group with the PC 102 or the printer 103 and the other deviceparticipates in the P2P group. However, the smartphone 101 may providethe communication parameter stored in the storage unit 207 as acommunication parameter for participating in the P2P group to the PC 102or the printer 103. For example, it is assumed that the smartphone 101previously stores a communication parameter for participating in the P2Pgroup formed while the printer 103 is GO. In this case, if thesmartphone 101 serves as the intermediary and forms the P2P groupbetween the PC 102 and the printer 103, the smartphone 101 may directlyprovide the stored communication parameter to the PC 102 without formingthe P2P group with the printer 103. The stored communication parametermay be, for example, a credential of Persistent P2P Group of Wi-FiDirect.

Also, the smartphone 101 may store a communication parameter of a P2Pgroup with which the smartphone 101 has connected in the past in thestorage unit 207, and may provide the communication parameter directlyto another device. At this time, if a plurality of communicationparameters are stored in the storage unit 207, a communication parameterto be provided may be selected in accordance with an instruction by auser. Also, one of communication parameters to be provided may beautomatically selected depending on the priority. That is, acommunication parameter having the highest priority may be selected.Also, when the smartphone 101 captures a QR code with the imagecapturing unit 201, the smartphone 101 may retrieve a P2P groupcorresponding to a communication parameter stored in the image storageunit 207, and the smartphone 101 may allow the device indicated by theQR code to participate in the detected P2P group.

Also, the connection sequence in Wi-Fi Direct is described above as anexample. However, it is not limited thereto. For example, the smartphone101 may be a device operable as AP or STA. In this case, the smartphone101 may determine whether to operate as AP or STA in accordance with anoperation by a user. Then, if the smartphone 101 operates as theintermediary, the smartphone 101 may provide control to inhibit a userfrom making an operation to instruct the smartphone 101 to operate asAP.

With the above-described embodiment, processing of constructing awireless network can be simplified when a communication devicewirelessly connects a plurality of other communication devices with oneanother.

Embodiment(s) of the present invention can also be realized by acomputer of a system or apparatus that reads out and executes computerexecutable instructions (e.g., one or more programs) recorded on astorage medium (which may also be referred to more fully as a‘non-transitory computer-readable storage medium’) to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s) and/orthat includes one or more circuits (e.g., application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC)) for performing the functions of one or moreof the above-described embodiment (s), and by a method performed by thecomputer of the system or apparatus by, for example, reading out andexecuting the computer executable instructions from the storage mediumto perform the functions of one or more of the above-describedembodiment(s) and/or controlling the one or more circuits to perform thefunctions of one or more of the above-described embodiment(s). Thecomputer may comprise one or more processors (e.g., central processingunit (CPU), micro processing unit (MPU)) and may include a network ofseparate computers or separate processors to read out and execute thecomputer executable instructions. The computer executable instructionsmay be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or thestorage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or moreof a hard disk, a random-access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM),a storage of distributed computing systems, an optical disk (such as acompact disc (CD), digital versatile disc (DVD), or Blu-ray Disc (BD)™),a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

While the present invention has been described with reference toexemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of thefollowing claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as toencompass all such modifications and equivalent structures andfunctions.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A communication apparatus comprising: oneor more memories storing instructions; and one or more processorsexecuting the instructions to: operate as a base station that constructsa first wireless network; operate as a slave station that connects to asecond wireless network constructed by another communication apparatus;in a case where the communication apparatus communicates with theanother communication apparatus to share a first communication parameterto be used for connecting to a third wireless network formed between thecommunication apparatus and the another communication apparatus, and thecommunication apparatus operates in a first mode that allows thecommunication apparatus to separate from the third wireless network,perform a predetermined control process for operating as a base stationin the communication between the communication apparatus and the anothercommunication apparatus, and in a case where the communication apparatusoperates in a second mode that allows the communication apparatus tokeep participating in a fourth wireless network after communicating withthe another communication apparatus to share a second communicationparameter to be used for connecting to the fourth wireless networkformed between the communication apparatus and the another communicationapparatus, not perform the predetermined control process; and connect tothe third wireless network constructed by the another communicationapparatus operating as a base station in a case where the communicationapparatus operates in the first mode, the connecting performed by usingthe slave station.
 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1,wherein, in a negotiation for determining whether the communicationapparatus is to operate as a base station or a slave station, thepredetermined control process is a process in which the communicationapparatus performs negotiation with the another communication apparatusfor the communication apparatus to operate as the slave station.
 3. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: animage capturing unit configured to capture an image; and the one or moreprocessors further executing instructions to acquire information aboutthe another communication apparatus from the image captured by the imagecapturing unit.
 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the information about the another communication apparatus isacquired from a barcode, a two-dimensional code or a Quick Response (QR)code®.
 5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, furthercomprising connecting to the third wireless network constructed by theanother communication apparatus based on the first communicationparameter received from the another communication apparatus, theconnecting performed by using the slave station.
 6. The communicationapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first communicationparameter includes at least one of a service set identifier (SSID), anencryption key, an encryption method, an authentication key, and anauthentication method.
 7. The communication apparatus according to claim1, wherein the first communication parameter is information forperforming communication conforming to IEEE 802.11 series.
 8. Thecommunication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base stationand the slave station are a group owner and a client conforming to Wi-FiDirect, respectively.
 9. A method for a communication apparatus, thecommunication apparatus having a base station unit configured to operateas a base station that constructs a first wireless network, and a slavestation unit configured to operate as a slave station that connects to asecond wireless network constructed by another communication apparatus,the method comprising: in a case where the communication apparatuscommunicates with the another communication apparatus to share a firstcommunication parameter to be used for connecting to a third wirelessnetwork formed between the communication apparatus and the anothercommunication apparatus, and the communication apparatus operates in afirst mode that allows the communication apparatus to separate from thethird wireless network, performing a predetermined control process forcontrolling the base station unit to operate as a base station in thecommunication between the communication apparatus and the anothercommunication apparatus, and in a case where the communication apparatusoperates in a second mode that allows the communication apparatus tokeep participating in a fourth wireless network after communicating withthe another communication apparatus to share a second communicationparameter to be used for connecting to the fourth wireless networkformed between the communication apparatus and the another communicationapparatus, not performing the predetermined control process; andconnecting to the third wireless network constructed by the anothercommunication apparatus operating as a base station in a case where thecommunication apparatus operates in the first mode, the connectingperformed by using the slave station unit.
 10. A non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause a communication apparatus to perform a process, thecommunication apparatus having a base station unit configured to operateas a base station that constructs a first wireless network, and a slavestation unit configured to operate as a slave station that connects to asecond wireless network constructed by another communication apparatus,the process comprising: in a case where the communication apparatuscommunicates with the another communication apparatus to share a firstcommunication parameter to be used for connecting to a third wirelessnetwork formed between the communication apparatus and the anothercommunication apparatus, and the communication apparatus operates in afirst mode that allows the communication apparatus to separate from thethird wireless network, performing a predetermined control process forcontrolling the base station unit to operate as a base station in thecommunication between the communication apparatus and the anothercommunication apparatus, and in a case where the communication apparatusoperates in a second mode that allows the communication apparatus tokeep participating in a fourth wireless network after communicating withthe another communication apparatus to share a second communicationparameter to be used for connecting to the fourth wireless networkformed between the communication apparatus and the another communicationapparatus, not performing the predetermined control process; andconnecting to the third wireless network constructed by the anothercommunication apparatus operating as a base station in a case where thecommunication apparatus operates in the first mode, the connectingperformed by using the slave station unit.